Sail-World.com : High Season sailing for Act II of the 2012 Phuket Dinghy Series

High Season sailing for Act II of the 2012 Phuket Dinghy Series

'Stunning high season weather welcomed the sailors to Act II of the 2012 Phuket Dinghy Series
held off Bang Tao Beach. Photo by MarineScene.asia.'
Duncan Worthington
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Act II of the 2012 Phuket Dinghy Series took place over the weekend of 27th and 28th October in front of Bliss Beach Club on Bang Tao Beach with 16 Optimists and four Lasers competing for the Act II title and amassing points in the three-event Series.

Phuket's High Season was on attention to greet the young sailors – stunning blue skies and clear seas set the scene for what proved to be two days of tactical racing. With sailors taking part from Phuket, Songkhla and Chonburi it was an opportunity for many to experience new conditions, a new venue, and new competitors.

The sailors faced challenging racing conditions with currents and oscillating light winds making tactics and the ability to read conditions paramount to success.

Chonburi-native, Anaphat Ngamdee, continued his success from Act I off Nai Yang Beach, with a clean sweep in Act II, winning six from six in the Optimist Class. Despite not being used to southern Thailand sailing conditions, Anaphat adapted well and continues to lead the fleet.

Phuket youngster Sumet Pandam, wasn't far behind and put in a consistent performance placing second in all six races to finish second overall. Third place went to another Phuket junior, Surassawadee Sukpraw.

In the Laser Class, it was another Chonburi-native, Auckarapong Chayim, who showed the fleet a clean pair of heels winning all six of the races and taking the Bang Tao title, ahead of Jittawat Boonrat from Songkhla, and Teeranai Petcharat from Phuket, which finished in second and third respectively.

The final race in the Series will take place off Panwa Cape 24 – 25 November. Heading into Act III, Anaphat Ngamdee (11 points) leads the way with Sumet Pandam (27 points) in second and Charef Rakpongbandit (39 points) in third.

Auckarapong Chayim (11 points) leads the Series in the Laser Class, ahead of Jittawat Boonrat (28 points) in second and Teeranai Petcharat (30 points) in third.